SCENE V.
Changes to London.
Enter Lord Scales upon the Tower walking. Then enter two or three citizens below.
Scales.
How now? is Jack Cade slain?
1 Cit.
No, my Lord, nor like to be slain:
for they have won the bridge, killing all those that
withstand them: the Lord Mayor craves aid of your
honour from the Tower to defend the city from the
rebels.
Scales.
Such aid, as I can spare, you shall command;
But I am troubled here with them myself.
-- 84 --
The rebels have assay'd to win the Tower.
But get you into Smithfield, gather head,
And thither will I send you Matthew Goff.
Fight for your King, your country and your lives,
And so farewel, for I must hence again.
[Exeunt.
SCENE changes to Cannon-Street.
Enter Jack Cade and the rest, and strikes his staff on London-Stone.
Cade.
Now is Mortimer Lord of this city, and
here sitting upon London-Stone, I charge
and command that of the city's cost the pissing conduit
run nothing but claret wine the first year of our
reign. And now hence-forward it shall be treason for
any that calls me other than Lord Mortimer.
Enter a soldier running.
Sol.
Jack Cade, Jack Cade!
Cade.
Knock him down there.
[They kill him.
Weav.
If this fellow be wise, he'll never call you
Jack Cade more; I think, he hath a very fair warning.
Dick.
My Lord, there's an army gathered together
in Smithfield.
Cade.
Come then, let's go fight with them: but
first go and set London-bridge on fire, and if you can,
burn down the Tower too. Come, let's away.
[Exeunt omnes.
SCENE changes to Smithfield.
Alarum. Matthew Goff is slain, and all the rest. Then enter Jack Cade with his company.
Cade.
So, Sirs: Now go some and pull down the
Savoy: others to the inns of courts, down
with them all.
-- 85 --
Dick.
I have a suit unto your Lordship.
Cade.
Be it a Lordship, thou shalt have it for that
word.
Dick.
Only that the laws of England may come out
of your mouth.
John.
Mass, 'twill be sore law then, for he was
thrust in the mouth with a spear, and 'tis not whole yet.
Smith.
Nay, John, it will be stinking law, for his
breath stinks with eating toasted cheese.
Cade.
I have thought upon it, it shall be so. Away,
burn all the records of the realm; my mouth shall
be the parliament of England.
John.
Then we are like to have biting statutes,
unless his teeth be pull'd out.
Cade.
And henceforward all things shall be in common.
Alexander Pope [1747], The works of Shakespear in eight volumes. The Genuine Text (collated with all the former Editions, and then corrected and emended) is here settled: Being restored from the Blunders of the first Editors, and the Interpolations of the two Last: with A Comment and Notes, Critical and Explanatory. By Mr. Pope and Mr. Warburton (Printed for J. and P. Knapton, [and] S. Birt [etc.], London) [word count] [S11301].
